Fast And Furious: Arizona Cardinals Hire Speed Coach

Mar 9, 2013; Fayetteville, AR, USA; General view of the hurdles at the 2013 NCAA Indoor Championships at the Randal Tyson Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

You just had to know the Arizona Cardinals had something up their sleeve when they released long time strength and conditioning coach John Lott last week, right after his time as the combine strength coach.  Today, the Cards announced the hiring of a new speed coach.  He just happens to be an Olympic medalist in track and field.

Remember Roger Kingdom from the 1984 and 1988 110-meter hurdles?  Well, you’re going to hear a lot more from him as he is the new assistant strength and conditioning coach.  He will assist Buddy Morris who had already been hired as the new strength and conditioning coach.

Kingdom was brought in for speed.  Simply put, the Cards want to get faster.  I’ve seen some comments online that people aren’t buying into him.  I understand why but let’s look at his track record, pardon the pun.  He just spent the past 10 years as director of track and field at California University of Pennsylvania.  He also has experience as a college football player at Pittsburgh and yes, of course he was on their track team as well.

If for nothing else, they’ve brought attention of the strength and conditioning program the Cards are trying to build.  I believe the message is simple.  The Cards want to get stronger and faster.  I don’t have any issues with that.  You?